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Faculty of Arts and HumanitiesDean's Office, Faculty of Arts and HumanitiesJakobi 2, r 116-121 51005 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, Tartumaa EST0Institute of History and ArchaeologyJakobi 2 51005 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, Tartumaa EST0Institute of Estonian and General LinguisticsJakobi 2, IV korrus 51005 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, Tartumaa EST0Institute of Philosophy and SemioticsJakobi 2, III korrus, ruumid 302-337 51005 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, Tartumaa EST0Institute of Cultural ResearchÜlikooli 16 51003 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, Tartumaa EST0Institute of Foreign Languages and CulturesLossi 3 51003 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, Tartumaa EST0School of Theology and Religious StudiesÜlikooli 18 50090 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, Tartumaa EST0Viljandi Culture AcademyPosti 1 71004 Viljandi linn, Viljandimaa EST0Professors emeriti, Faculty of Arts and Humanities0Associate Professors emeriti, Faculty of Arts and Humanities0Faculty of Social SciencesDean's Office, Faculty of Social SciencesLossi 36 51003 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, Tartumaa EST0Institute of EducationJakobi 5 51005 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, Tartumaa EST0Johan Skytte Institute of Political StudiesLossi 36, ruum 301 51003 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, Tartumaa EST0School of Economics and Business AdministrationNarva mnt 18 51009 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, Tartumaa EST0Institute of PsychologyNäituse 2 50409 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, Tartumaa EST0School of LawNäituse 20 - 324 50409 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, Tartumaa EST0Institute of Social StudiesLossi 36 51003 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, Tartumaa EST0Narva CollegeRaekoja plats 2 20307 Narva linn, Ida-Virumaa EST0Pärnu CollegeRingi 35 80012 Pärnu linn, Pärnu linn, Pärnumaa EST0Professors emeriti, Faculty of Social Sciences0Associate Professors emeriti, Faculty of Social Sciences0Faculty of MedicineDean's Office, Faculty of MedicineRavila 19 50411 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, Tartumaa ESTInstitute of Biomedicine and Translational MedicineBiomeedikum, Ravila 19 50411 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, Tartumaa ESTInstitute of PharmacyNooruse 1 50411 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, Tartumaa ESTInstitute of DentistryL. Puusepa 1a 50406 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, Tartumaa ESTInstitute of Clinical MedicineL. Puusepa 8 50406 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, Tartumaa ESTInstitute of Family Medicine and Public HealthRavila 19 50411 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, Tartumaa ESTInstitute of Sport Sciences and PhysiotherapyUjula 4 51008 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, Tartumaa ESTProfessors emeriti, Faculty of Medicine0Associate Professors emeriti, Faculty of Medicine0Faculty of Science and TechnologyDean's Office, Faculty of Science and TechnologyVanemuise 46 - 208 51003 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, Tartumaa ESTInstitute of Computer ScienceNarva mnt 18 51009 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, Tartumaa ESTInstitute of GenomicsRiia 23b/2 51010 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, Tartumaa ESTEstonian Marine Institute0Institute of PhysicsInstitute of ChemistryRavila 14a 50411 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, Tartumaa EST0Institute of Mathematics and StatisticsNarva mnt 18 51009 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, Tartumaa EST0Institute of Molecular and Cell BiologyRiia 23, 23b - 134 51010 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, Tartumaa ESTTartu ObservatoryObservatooriumi 1 61602 Tõravere alevik, Nõo vald, Tartumaa EST0Institute of TechnologyNooruse 1 50411 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, Tartumaa ESTInstitute of Ecology and Earth SciencesJ. Liivi tn 2 50409 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, Tartumaa ESTProfessors emeriti, Faculty of Science and Technology0Associate Professors emeriti, Faculty of Science and Technology0Institute of BioengineeringArea of Academic SecretaryHuman Resources OfficeUppsala 6, Lossi 36 51003 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, Tartumaa EST0Area of Head of FinanceFinance Office0Area of Director of AdministrationInformation Technology Office0Administrative OfficeÜlikooli 17 (III korrus) 51005 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, Tartumaa EST0Estates Office0Marketing and Communication OfficeÜlikooli 18, ruumid 102, 104, 209, 210 50090 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, Tartumaa EST0Area of Vice Rector for Academic AffairsOffice of Academic AffairsUniversity of Tartu Youth AcademyUppsala 10 51003 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, Tartumaa EST0Student Union OfficeÜlikooli 18b 51005 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, Tartumaa EST0Centre for Learning and TeachingArea of Vice Rector for ResearchUniversity of Tartu LibraryW. Struve 1 50091 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, Tartumaa EST0Grant OfficeArea of Vice Rector for DevelopmentCentre for Entrepreneurship and InnovationNarva mnt 18 51009 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, Tartumaa EST0University of Tartu Natural History Museum and Botanical GardenVanemuise 46 51003 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, Tartumaa EST0International Cooperation and Protocol Office0University of Tartu MuseumLossi 25 51003 Tartu linn, Tartu linn, Tartumaa EST0Area of RectorRector's Strategy OfficeInternal Audit Office
Synthetic Biology and its Applications
On-site in Tartu 28 July – 7 August 2024
The summer school aims to provide an overview of synthetic biology advances and their applications. This course is designed for high school students. This course provides an overview of how study life looks like in our university. Students will get hands-on experience in molecular cloning and genetic engineering by visiting the University of Tartu research centres.
Laboratory work will focus on genetically modifying yeast to produce carotenes and violacein, extracting them from yeast cells, and analysing the results via HPLC and TLC.
Carotenes and violaceins are colourful chemical compounds and have a wide range of applications. For example, carotenes are used in cosmetics and the food industry, and violaceins possess antimicrobial and antitumor properties that have great potential in medicine. Students will learn how society could utilise synthetic biology to decrease the production price and reduce the carbon footprint and environmental impact compared to conventional production methods.
Students will learn how to work in the molecular biology lab, safety rules, and how to operate laboratory equipment (e.g., PCR machines, centrifuges, vortexes, thermostats, etc.). Students will also create artworks using yeast cells that synthesise carotenes and violaceins.
| Focus area: | Applied Biotechnology, Synthetic Biology, Bioengineering | Coordinating unit at UT | Institute of Bioengineering |
| Study Field: | Science and Technology, Bioengineering | Course Leader | Ilona Faustova, Associate Professor in Molecular Biology |
| Format | Hands-on workshop | Location | Tartu, Estonia |
| Course dates: | 28 July - 7 August 2024 | Apply by: | 30 April 2024 |
| ECTS: | 2 | Fee: | 600 € |
| Study group | High school students, beginner level BSc | Language | English |
Lecturers:
- Ilona Faustova, Associate Professor in Molecular Biology, Programme Director of Science & Technology and Bioengineering programmes
- Artemi Maljavin, PhD student
- Anton Mastitski, Lecturer of Organic Chemistry
- Henry Vider, PhD student
- Science & Technology students
Before every practical assignment, instructors will explain the theoretical basis of the method.
Week 1
Sunday, 28 July
Arrival
Monday, 29 July
- Introduction to summer school: Schedule, goals, learning outcomes.
- Lecture: How synthetic biology is changing the world
- Introduction to safety rules and laboratory techniques
- PCR amplification of Modules’ parts (promoters, genes, terminators, degrons), Gel electrophoresis, Golden Gate assembly, bacterial transformation
Tuesday, 30 July
- Lecture: Bioproduction of valuable compounds: benefits and potential risks
- Plasmid extraction from bacterial cells, DNA restriction analysis
- Sequencing
Wednesday, 31 July
- Analysis of sequencing results
- PCR amplification of Modules.
- Lecture: The basics of homologous recombination and its application in synthetic biology
- Yeast transformation
Thursday, 1 August
Free day
Friday, 2 August
- Preparing yeast cells for the production of carotenes and violacein
- Introduction of the Bioengineering MSc programme at the University of Tartu
Saturday, 3 August
Free day
Sunday, 4 August
Free day
Week 2
Monday, 5 August
- Extraction of carotenes and violaceins from yeast cells
- Lecture: HPLC and TLC methods: benefits, restrictions, applications
- TLC analysis of the extracted carotenes and violaceins.
- Artistic work: make a drawing on the Petri dish using colourful yeast cells
Tuesday, 6 August
- Analysis of the HPLC results
- Group photos
- Feedback form
Wednesday, 7 August
Departure
The students can take part in a cultural programme in the evenings.
Entry requirements:
- Online application form
- Motivation letter (up to 1 page) that demonstrates the applicant’s motivation to participate, his/her expectations about the programme, how participation in the summer programme relates to his/her studies and interests, and how the applicant plans to use the gained experience and knowledge in the future
- Transcript of academic records
- Copy of passport
PS: Only complete applications including all annexes submitted by the deadline will be considered for selection
The student completing the course will:
1. Know the main branches of synthetic biology
2. Will learn potential drawbacks and ethical issues raised by synthetic biology development
3. Know different molecular cloning techniques, including Golden Gate assembly and digest/ligate cloning
4. Be able to perform PCR, DNA gel electrophoresis, Bacterial and yeast transformations, DNA extraction from bacterial cells.
5. Learn about different sequencing methods and how to analyze the results of Sanger sequencing
6. Perform carotene and violacein extraction from S. Cerevisiae cells
7. Learn the basics of HPLC and TLC, perform TLC and analyze the results.
Two weeks prior to the start of the programme an information file will be sent to all participants. This file contains the daily schedule and relevant contact information of the programme managers.
Students are responsible for their travel, accommodation and travel insurance (visa arrangements if needed) from their home country to Tartu and back to their home country. It is recommended to visit the Tartu Welcome Centre website and arrival and housing section to find accommodation opportunities.